As Nicole Ash and I sat in our virtual Zoom office, thinking about the specific fundraising campaigns for the upcoming year to cover the cost of managing Overcoming Odds (producing podcast episodes, curating stories that people share, organizing virtual events, holding weekly space for deep, meaningful conversations), I began to think about my own experience of donating and the challenges I had faced prior to making those decisions.
I asked myself, “What is the real challenge of donating? Is it not knowing how the money will be spent? Is it lack of trust between the donor and the organization? Is it something completely different?”
Although, I think trust, credibility and/or personal connection to the cause play a role, I began to think that there was more to it.
For me, my thoughts led me to a feeling.
I think the act of donating and how much I donate is measured by the feeling that comes over me.
In particular, the feeling of what it took to earn the money.
As I looked at the previous experiences where I chose to give, I noticed a difference between giving $5 verses $10.
Both decisions were intentional, the difference was the perceived reality of what it took to earn either the $5 or $10.
In my mind, it appeared more difficult to earn $10 than $5.
The labor was the same, but the difference is how long it took to earn the amount.
Today, I challenge you to donate $5 to a cause of your choice, AND ask one other person to donate $5 to a cause of their choice.
Think about the difference we could all make by doing this.
What is the value that you placed on the $5? Does it register as a $5 donation in your mind? Does it make you feel good to donate? Do you realize you are making a difference?
Should you choose to donate to Overcoming Odds, in advance, my gratitude and appreciation.
Let us all take a moment and think about the significant impact we can have on our communities who need our donations.
